Over 60 arrested in police raids in the Canary Islands

RDO has been informed that on 22nd July, the unit for organised crime at the Las Palmas police force arrested over 60 people and raided the offices and sales decks of various Holiday Club Companies, including Voyager Travel, Lifestyle Holidays, Reclaimgc and Timeshare Refund Network.

In addition, computers and files have been confiscated from the company offices in Arguineguin and San Bartolomé de Tirajana.

It is alleged that the companies made around €5million by defrauding in the region of 2,000 holidaymakers, who made payments of between €5,000 to €30,000 for the guarantee of discounts of up to 70% at holiday accommodation. The fraud is alleged to have been carried out since 2007.

One of the key individuals behind the companies, Eugen Kaiser, is amongst those arrested. A German national, Kaiser has been based in the Canaries since the 80s. Another is Paula Beatson, believed to be from Lancashire in the UK. Both Kaiser and Beatson are well known to RDO.

It is understood that some of those arrested have been released on bail.

Update 30th July: Statements have now been taken from all the arrested and no charges have yet been filed. The presiding judge was critical of the police procedures in terms of the raids, but has nevertheless opened a preliminary investigation under the jurisdiction of the court in order to examine all the evidence presented to determine whether those arrested will face trial.